**Carabao Cup rotation is not simply about giving the regulars a breather. For several Everton players currently on the fringes, tonight’s meeting with Wolves is an opportunity to push for more meaningful minutes.**
All five were outside the starting XI for [Everton](https://readeverton.com/) at Tottenham on Saturday and, with another Premier League game to come against Ipswich, David Moyes has good reason to freshen things up at the Hill Dickinson.
Whether they start or come from the bench, these five have something to gain.
There is no argument over Everton’s first-choice goalkeeper while Jordan Pickford is available, which makes nights like this particularly useful for Travers.
The summer signing from 2025 was an unused substitute at Tottenham and would be an obvious candidate if Moyes decides to change his goalkeeper. If he does play, it is a rare chance to get competitive minutes and show he can be relied upon when required.
Dibling is perhaps the most intriguing of the five. The 20-year-old remained on the bench throughout the draw at Tottenham and has yet to establish himself in Moyes’s preferred XI, despite his obvious talent. Whether tonight brings a start or another appearance from the bench, this is exactly the sort of opportunity he needs to start demanding more minutes.
Alcaraz was another unused substitute at Spurs and has found himself squeezed by the increased competition in Everton’s midfield and attacking positions. His energy and unpredictability remain useful qualities, but the battle for places means opportunities have to be taken when they arrive. Wolves could provide one tonight.
Hackney’s situation is slightly different. He came on for Brennan Johnson after 75 minutes at Tottenham and has already earned praise from Moyes following his first Everton start. The summer signing is still trying to establish himself in a midfield containing James Garner, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Harrison Armstrong, however.
A strong showing tonight would do his chances of further Premier League minutes no harm.
O’Brien also got on at Tottenham, replacing Ainsley Maitland-Niles for the final 15 minutes, but he remains outside Moyes’s first-choice defence. He showed last season that he can contribute when called upon and his versatility remains useful. If Moyes does rotate his back four against Wolves, this is an obvious chance for O’Brien to remind him of what he has available.
None of the five needs one huge performance to suddenly transform the pecking order, but that isn’t how these things work.
A good start, a lively cameo, a goal, an assist or simply a solid night can all plant a seed. For those currently watching Everton’s Premier League games from the sidelines, tonight is a chance to do exactly that.
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